Karnataka to launch OneTAC, unified digital platform for tourism and cultural destinations

Karnataka is all set to launch OneTAC - Tourism, Arts, and Culture (TAC) digital grid - aimed at building a unified and interoperable digital ecosystem to transform the way the state’s cultural and tourism destinations are discovered and experienced.

According to tourism department officials, the initiative will create a statewide digital registry of cultural assets, performers, heritage sites, tour guides, venues and service providers, bringing all stakeholders onto a single platform.

“Our plan is to establish a Digital Public Infrastructure for Karnataka’s Tourism, Arts, and Culture sectors that eliminates fragmentation and ensures inclusivity,” a senior official told Moneycontrol.

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“OneTAC will not only enhance visitor experiences but also empower local artists, tour operators, and entrepreneurs by improving their visibility, credibility and market access,” the official said.

In April 2025, OneTAC, India’s digital platform for tourism, art, and culture, was launched at Startup Mahakumbh to boost digital access and engagement in tourism-related sectors.

One Digital Grid

Once implemented, OneTAC will offer digital identifiers and verifiable credentials to stakeholders - folk artists, homestay owners, travel guides and transport operators - enabling seamless service discovery, booking and payments through open, interoperable protocols.

The grid will also use AI-powered assistants to offer real-time, hyperlocal cultural recommendations to tourists. Data analytics tools will provide insights into travel trends and help shape data-driven policymaking in the tourism sector.

Officials said the system will include a central, verified registry of tourism and cultural assets, B2B marketplaces to connect service providers, and virtual helpers to support vendors and artisans with onboarding.

“OneTAC will serve as a single source of truth for Karnataka’s tourism and cultural ecosystem,” the official said. “By creating a verifiable and transparent platform, we aim to improve earnings for local communities and ensure fair compensation through digital payments.”

K-TAC Mission

The tourism department has recently invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) for selecting an advisor to establish Karnataka Tourism, Arts, and Culture Mission (K-TAC) under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

The selected firm will provide strategic guidance for developing the OneTAC digital grid, designing its technical and institutional framework, and shaping the governance, financial, and operational models for K-TAC.

“The selected firm will play a key role in setting up K-TAC and defining its governance structure,” the official explained. “This entity will oversee the design, operation, and management of the OneTAC platform as a Digital Public Infrastructure for the tourism ecosystem.”

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Empowering Local Communities

The digital infrastructure is expected to benefit the entire tourism value chain - from folk artists and cultural performers to hospitality service providers and transport operators.

“This initiative will help us strengthen the grassroots economy by empowering local communities with digital tools,” said the official. “It will improve the visibility of our cultural heritage while promoting entrepreneurship and skill development in the tourism sector.”

The rollout will begin with pilot services such as tour guide and homestay registries before expanding statewide. Revenue models are being designed to ensure financial sustainability, with funding expected from verification services, licensing fees, CSR partnerships, and industry contributions.

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With over 30 crore domestic and nearly 5 lakh foreign tourists visiting Karnataka annually, officials said there is a pressing need to modernise how the state’s diverse cultural, spiritual, and ecological assets are experienced and preserved.

“Through OneTAC and K-TAC, we plan to set a national benchmark in digital tourism governance,” the official added.